Earth Day’s Wisconsin roots and what to know in 2024

Earth Day is April 22 and its roots run deep in Wisconsin with events honoring the past while planning more action in the future; also, learn who is part of a special “Earth Week” on The Maggie Daun Show

Are you making plans to honor Mother Earth? April 22 is Earth Day, and it’s a deeply-rooted Wisconsin-idea!

Senator Gaylord Nelson, a Democrat from Wisconsin, supported legislation meant to increase awareness of environmental issues. But his idea to create Earth Day gained steam after he and other lawmakers got a close look at an offshore oil spill along the California coast in 1969. Nelson decided to lead a “teach in” on the environment, similar to those being held on college campuses in opposition to the war in Vietnam.

(Please continue reading this article below.)

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Join The Todd Allbaugh Show for a special live Earth Day broadcast from Governor Gaylord Nelson State Park, Monday, April 22 from Noon-2pm. Allbaugh will be joined by Nelson’s daughter, Tia, to discuss the legacy of Earth Day and how the family continues to fight for the environment. Find the show here.

And listen for unique “Earth Week” guests on The Maggie Daun Show, on-air each day from 2-4pm! You are invited to be part of the discussion here.

• Monday, April 22 – Dr. Anne Getzin, a family physician in Milwaukee. She recently led an educational series focused on the inequitable health impacts of climate change

Tuesday, April 23 – Meleesa Johnson of Wisconsin Green Fire

Wednesday, April 24 – Peter Knotek with Climate Safe Pensions

Thursday, April 25 – Peter Burress of Wisconsin Conservation Voters

Friday, April 26 – Corey Riday-White from the Center for Climate Integrity

Maggie shares information about her “Earth Week” guests. You can hear it half-way through Friday, April 19th’s show podcast here.

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The first Earth Day — April 22, 1970 — happened on a weekday between spring break and final exams and involved college students hosting events across the country. It also helped to further support Nelson’s efforts to do more to address issues like pollution. By December of that year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency formed, and the Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act became law.

You can read more about Nelson and how his family is carrying on his work here.

“Earth Day is a global event with more than 192 countries acknowledging the meaning behind it. The theme this year is meant to focus on a reduction in the production and use of plastics, along with awareness in the disposal of plastics.”

Tia Nelson

If you would like to get involved in an education or clean-up event during Earth Day, or any day, find your community’s schedule here